yeah, I thought about just using is_active() instead, but let them as is in hope it would be more clear.

The is_write_ready() function however is simple enough that it could be substituted by a mere check for 'have_pending', but then again, clarity's sake -- I wouldn't want someone else reading the code (or even I in two weeks) and wondering why we're checking for 'have_pending'.  Besides, it might come in hand some time -- although I'm aware this is not a good enough reason ;-)